Hidden Camera Arrest

[Kendall James-Vargas]

A recent arrest was made due to a hidden camera being planted in an RCL restroom near the FlowRider surf simulator. The camera was installed on April 30 onboard Harmony of the Seas and was discovered on May 1st by another passenger. Over 150 people were estimated to have been captured in this video. This is so aggravating to me! Has anyone encountered anything like this before? Approximately 40 of those caught on camera were said to be minors. Thankfully the FBI is involved and will, hopefully, properly handle this upsetting situation. 

[kefthecruiser]

To my knowledge, I've never experienced this, but then how does one know? What a sick-o, it's just so sad this type of perversion has now infiltrated the cruise industry. But I guess the on board population reflects society as a whole. There was a recent article about an airbnb where a group of young ladies found cameras in the rentals bathroom outlet. Obviously the owner / pervert had more time to install that the cruise ship perpetrator. smh

[FJB]

Isn’t technology great?!

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@kefthecruiser It's so true. I'm not sure how one would know because the objective is to hide the cameras! Hidden cameras are truly everywhere and unless we are really paying close attention it's hard to see them. As someone who has been a nanny in the past, I have identified hidden cameras in the most unthought-of spaces. For this purpose, of protecting a child, I totally understand, but for the purpose of inappropriately exposing a child, I feel very differently. I feel very strongly about the invasion of personal privacy, and this is totally crossing the line! You never know who is the type to cross the line, so it oftentimes leaves me paranoid out in public with my children. I now, more so than before, feel the urge to inspect public restrooms more carefully, especially when my child goes into a stall alone. I would like to see the sentence the perpetrator receives. I will be following this story to look for any finalized outcomes.

[PaulB]

It's absolutely shocking the world we live in that there are people who can do such a thing. To even contemplate it is bad enough, however to meticulously plan it before hand, get the equipment and install it must have taken weeks maybe months in the detail. How long a sentence would you expect to get for something like that?

[kefthecruiser]

@PaulB I was able to find this:

"FEDERAL CRIME OF VIDEO VOYEURISM - 18 U.S. CODE § 1801

While every state in the Union and the District of Columbia now has laws criminalizing the act of video voyeurism in some capacity, it is also considered a federal offense under Title 18 of the U.S. Code section 1801.

If you are charged under this law, you could face hefty fines and federal imprisonment for up to one year."

AND

"Video voyeurism is one of several laws in which the U.S. claims expanded "special maritime and territorial jurisdiction," generally meaning it's a federal crime not only within U.S. boundaries but also in many cases outside the U.S. when it's committed against a U.S. national.

This jurisdiction is explicitly defined in 18 U.S.C. 7 and includes the following:

• Any U.S. territory not under state jurisdiction. 
• Federal property;
• American vessels in international waters;
• Foreign vessels en route to and from the United States;"

So, that’s about it for USA law, beyond the cruise line banning the perp from cruising again. It is a sad state of affairs.

[PaulB]

Thank you @kefthecruiser for this. It always fascinates me about the world's law and this clears things up. That sounds about fair, obviously voyeurism is one thing, however if under 18 are in there, would the fine and imprisonment be even more severe?

[kefthecruiser]

I'm no legal expert. My understanding is this law does not differentiate by age. However, depending on the severity of the offense, other laws, such as child porn, could come into play. This is determined by the DA. Also, I'll note that the law can be applied per occurrence. So, if there are more than 150 people as the article suggests, and they come forward, that can be a big multiplier on sentencing. Thus, the reason why the FBI is soliciting victim information. I'm not qualified to speculate on how the court may rule in this situation. I'm just a retired guy who enjoys cruising!

Edited May 17 by kefthecruiser
typo

[3Sisters]

@kefthecruiser I appreciate you sharing this sort of legal criminology perspective. It gives me a little insight as to how this whole situation may pan out. I truly hope that people come forward to share their testimony and ensure this perpetrator gets the proper sentence. I also hope that the youth involved in this case are protected and that the perpetrator sees a heightened sentence in regards to exploiting not only adults but many minors.

@kefthecruiser This whole scenario is so violating, on many different levels. I wonder if this is the perpetrator's first go at this sort of thing. I highly doubt it. 

[PaulB]

@3Sisters yes that's actually a good insight. What if this wasn't his first time of doing a  similar situation. He may have done it over and over and this time got caught.

[3Sisters]

I think that's likely what happened. It's much easier to capture the perpetrator when there are plenty of onboard security cameras in an enclosed space; he couldn't hide. In a public atmosphere with no security cameras, the perpetrator could have planted a camera anywhere and received all the images without getting caught. I'm just thankful that the perpetrator was caught! That's I guess the highlight of a very wrongful circumstance. Now that the FBI is involved, he's completely exposed, even his name.

[PaulB]

Good enough for him

[Kendall James-Vargas]

I haven't found any updates on the status of this arrest but it definitely got a lot of publicity. I hope this spreads awareness and makes cruise lines more observant when it comes to unforeseen criminal activity. This guy must have really hidden the camera well because it took a while for anyone to find it. The fact that 150 different guests could have utilized this public restroom and been filmed during the process is so disappointing to me. 

[PaulB]

I also would be keen to hear any updates on this, as I think if people are aware that this person has been punished or not for such a crime. If it stops people from carrying out similar crimes in the future, then that's what needs to happen, and people need to be made aware of this.

[Cruising Caribbean]

I haven't seen any updates but the FBI is still searching for victims. If you were victimized by Froias you can submit this form to the FBI, in assisting to properly substantiate this case.

https://forms.fbi.gov/harmonycruisevictims

He was a City of Kissimmee employee and was fired from his job on Monday, May 8th due to this event. What's crazy is that Jeremy was actually a cyber security officer for the city since 2004!  https://www.aroundosceola.com/index.php/news/city-kissimmee-employee-arrested-terminated-after-fbi-reports-his-hidden-camera-cruise-ship

[PaulB]

That was a good read. At least we know something happened to him. How ironic being cyber security officer and being done for something like that.

[3Sisters]

I thought the same thing! It's super ironic that this perpetrator actually worked as a cyber security officer for the city, especially for that long. This guy worked for the city for 20 years! That's a long time, and I'm sure many coworkers didn't see that coming. It's so upsetting to think about this because I think it happens all too often and goes unnoticed more than we would like to believe. I'm glad he was caught, and I hope many victims come forward with a good testimony to keep this perpetrator from endangering more people!